Soil conditioning rotary reel

ABSTRACT

A novel soil conditioning rotary reel comprised of a rotary reel having a plurality of flat bars attached to support plates in a symmetrical helix arrangement is disclosed. The number of bars and the diameter of the reel are determined by the limitation that the straight-line distance between two adjacent bars be less than six inches.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Patent Application is a Divisional of, and claims priority to under35 U.S.C. §120, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/350,178, filed onJan. 23, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,843,047, entitled, “Soil ConditioningRotary Reel” and having Paul Hurtis as the Inventor. The full disclosureof U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/350,178 is hereby fullyincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to agricultural tillage andseedbed preparation equipment, and more particularly to an improvedstand-alone soil conditioning rotary reel.

Many fall tillage operations that manage residue and reduce soilcompaction to improve soil tilth, such as combination deep ripper tools,can create a problem in the spring by leaving large soil clods and holeson the soil surface from the ripper shanks and points. This often leadsto difficult-to-manage soils in the spring that can then produce poorseedbed conditions at planting, resulting in yield loss due to poorgermination and non-uniform plant stands.

In dry land farming environments it is common to use several types ofrolling packers and conditioners in conjunction with primary tillageapplications to condition the seedbed zone as well as firm the soil toprevent soil blowing, while maintaining soil moisture ahead of planting.However, these packers and conditioners are not generally used for falltillage with spring planting in wetter environments due to thedifference in soil type, soil moisture, and over-wintering affects.

Packers and traditional soil conditioners used in the spring in asecondary tillage application are not a proper fit for providing soilconditioning in a primary tillage application. Generally, thesesecondary tillage soil conditioners rely on a “roller effect” to crushsun-baked clods into an almost fine powdery condition, which isacceptable in the seed zone at planting time; however, using these toolsin a fall primary tillage application is generally discouraged becausethe soil is frequently wetter and thus these tools essentially repacksoil that has just been loosened for air and water infiltration.Likewise, they tend to make the soil aggregate size too small and finefor the over-wintering process and will likely lead to crusting, runoff,and even blowing.

As used herein, “primary tillage” refers to tillage where the groundworking is deeper and the soil is turned, as for example, with moldboardand chisel plows, at depths greater than four inches. “Primary tillage”is distinguished, for example, from secondary tillage and variouscultivation techniques such as disks, “spider” wheels and sweeps, aswell as combinations of devices that normally cultivate the surface tonominal depths of two inches, but as deep as three to four inches.

The concept of rotary reels (or basket rollers, or packers, as they aresometimes called) to condition the soil and break clods is, of course,not new; however, the present invention sets forth several unique designfeatures that co-operate to optimize the capabilities of the rotary reeland to achieve the improved results mentioned.

It would be quite advantageous to overcome the problems identified abovein a manner as described in the immediately preceding paragraph, and todo so without increasing the workload of the farmer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is designed to improve soil conditions in the fallthat translate to spring field conditions that require less seedbedpreparation before planting, thereby leading to improved yields byproviding better seed-to-soil contact and a more timely planting windowfor farmers. The unique 6-bar flat-edge rotary reel design breaks clodsand moves soil into holes, reduces air pockets and flattens residue tolevel the soil surface without firming, unlike other known soilconditioners and packers. This fall soil conditioning can beaccomplished as part of a one-pass operation when used in conjunctionwith combination disk rippers or other primary tillage tools, or as astand-alone separate tillage operation after primary tillage iscompleted.

The novel rotary reel disclosed is intended to be used in the productionof corn, soybeans, and small grains in geographic areas with mulch-tillfarming practices where soil aggregates do not adequately break down dueto over-wintering and need mechanical manipulation to provide asatisfactory seedbed in the spring.

It is an objective of the present invention to provide a primary tillagesoil conditioner for soil environment conditions, which are typicallymoist. The rotary reel herein described is intended to properly size thesoil aggregate in the seedbed zone in the fall while not re-compactingthe soil loosening achieved by the primary tillage. The rotary reel hasan optimized reel diameter, flat bar angle of attack, spacing betweenadjacent flat bars, and machine weight equating to the down pressureapplied by the flat bar to cut and condition soil clods. The overalldesign is further intended to be able to run in the widest operatingconditions possible during typical fall primary tillage application,without plugging or packing full of soil.

It is a further objective of the instant invention to provide a primarytillage soil conditioner rotary reel that addresses the performancerequirement differences due to soil types and moisture conditions thatother soil conditioners do not address. The implement optimizes thenumber of bars, shape and thickness of the bars, edge design of thebars, radial and tangential angle of attack of the bars to the soil,mounting pattern of the bars (helix verses straight) and the weight ofthe bars and reel to meet both agronomic and customer-driven performancegoals. Agronomic parameters are achieved while maintaining the widestwindow of operation for the customer in both rocky and wet soilconditions.

It is an even still further objective of the instant invention toprovide an improved rotary reel useful in multiple applications. Forinstance, the reel may be used in strip-till or indexed environments,such as, for example, by the system shown in FIG. 1, in a broadcastenvironment where the reels essential cover the entire width of theimplement, in pull-type or self-propelled implements, in a tillage andsoil preparation system, or in a separate implement that includes onlythe rotary reel(s).

As generally stated above, the present invention is intended to be usedeither as a stand-alone machine or in conjunction with a primary tillagetool, such as a combination deep ripper, to address rough, uneven soilconditions in the fall. As the soil and residue passes through themachine, the flat bars of the rotary reel cut and break large clods intosmaller clod averaging about two to four inches in diameter. This clodsize is large enough to protect soil particles from erosion but smallenough that they become pliable and easily broken in the spring afterover-wintering. In addition, the reel knocks soil off root crowns andmoves clods and soil into holes and thereby creates a more level anduniform soil surface.

The present invention also knocks down and conditions residue,accelerating the decomposition process while not burying the residue,but leaving it on the surface. This helps to hold small soil particlesin place and prevent them from washing or blowing away. This completeprocess provides a loose, healthy soil with evenly distributed residueand soil particles suitable for spring cultivation and planting.

These and other objectives are obtained by providing a soil conditioningrotary reel comprised of a rotary reel having a plurality of flat barsattached to support plates in a symmetrical helix arrangement. Thenumber of bars and the diameter of the reel are determined by thelimitation that the straight-line distance between two adjacent bars beless than six inches.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a left rear perspective view of a primary tillage systemshowing the combination thereof with a known soil conditioning rotaryreel;

FIG. 2 is a left rear perspective view of a rotary reel conforming tothe concepts of the instant invention;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the rotary reel of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a left end view of the rotary reel of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view, taken along lines 5—5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the connection between the endsupport plate and one bar from FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a depiction, for reference, of the possible angulardisplacement of the circular left end of the rotary reel of the instantinvention as it moves in the normal direction of travel; and

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of a stand-alone embodiment with theground wheels in solid in the operating position and in phantom in thetransport position; and

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 8 with thewheels in the operating position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the following description, right hand and left hand references aredetermined by standing at the rear of the machine and facing in thedirection of forward travel. Also, in the following description, it isto be understood that such terms as “forward,” “left,” “upwardly,” etc.,are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms.

Referring now to FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 generally designates anexemplary primary tillage system or implement including a soilconditioning rotary reel. Implement 10 includes a main frame generallydesignated 11 that is adapted to be attached at its front to the rear ofan agricultural tractor (not shown) by means of a conventional 3-pointhitch 12. Larger main frames incorporate foldable toolbar wings forreduced transport widths. Frame 11 is a substantial structure intendedto withstand significant operational forces and to maintain itsintegrity for many years of reliable service. Two generally parallel andcoextensive elongate box beams, 14, 15 are interconnected at the endsthereof by beams 17, 18 and by additional beams therebetween.Additionally, the structural support legs of hitch 12 are affixed toeach of beams 14,15 adding strength to the hitch and the main frame. Boxbeams 14, 15 serve not only as the primary structural members of themain frame, but also as toolbars. The main frame may take other shapesand may be constructed of different materials and structural elements,the important result being a sound configuration to adequately supportthe various components of the implement to be further described below.This particular design, which in practice is made primarily of 4×6 or6×6 inch box beams, allows for long life and durability, additionalresidue flow, and provides the weight necessary to penetrate thetoughest soil conditions.

Frame 11 is supported for movement across a field or along a road bygauge wheels 20, 21 that may be of any known construction and design.Gauge wheels 20, 21 are each part of a unitized structure that includesa sturdy screw-adjustment for depth regulation, as well as pins toretain adjustment, all of which is attached to elongate frame member 14or 15 by known clamping devices that allow the wheel units to beselectively placed along the length of frame member 15 as part of anadjustment of the spacing between seedbed strips. Depth indicators mayalso be added to make fine-tuning of depth penetration more convenient.Two such wheel units are shown in the drawings; however, depending uponthe size and weight of the implement and the type of wheels used, morewheels may be appropriate. It is also possible that the particularconfiguration of elements, and the size and weight of the tractor beingused, may benefit from the addition of lift-assist wheels (not shown).Lift-assist wheels are known in the agricultural industry as add-onstructure that minimizes hitch stress and helps the tractor's 3-pointhitch lift implements, as well as safer tractor steering and stopping.Such units may include a stabilizing torque-tube to minimize wobble andensure stable transport. Lift-assist wheels may also be adjustable forlevel field operation and optimum transport height.

Row markers 19 are key to setting up or straightening existing rows. Asis obvious from FIG. 1, the marker units are movable, usuallyhydraulically, between transport positions, as seen in FIG. 1, andoperational positions where they pivot outwardly to contact the soil,leaving a small visible furrow.

Raising or lowering the front of the main frame is accomplished byraising or lowering the 3-point hitch of the tractor. The 3-point hitchand the gauge wheels 20, 21, adjust the depth of penetration of thesoil-engaging elements.

Implement 10 is further comprised of a series of similar working units,each unit including a series of apparatus; in the configuration shown inFIG. 1 there are six such working units transversely and uniformlyspaced across the width of the main frame. For purposes of discussionthese will be referred to as “working units” even though they are notnecessarily unitized in construction, i.e., some parts of each workingunit are attached separately to the main frame 11 rather than beingassembled separately and attached to the frame as a unit. This is not tosay that a unitized structure could not be used, but rather that manyknown embodiments are not constructed as a unitary structure. Theseworking units come in various types, numbers and spacing to best fit theneeds of the user.

The rotary reel of the instant invention would, in one operational mode,be mounted similarly to reel assembly 22 of FIG. 1, i.e., a reel 24 ismounted to a yoke 26 on bearings to provide smooth and free relativerotation of the reel. The yoke 26 is affixed to an arm pivotally mountedto a working unit, beam 17, or a toolbar. The reel assembly 22 is shownto include an adjustable spring pack, which would be used only whennecessary to satisfy operational requirements. If down-pressure isrequired to augment the weight of the reel itself, any appropriatemechanism or approach can be used, such as, for example, spring packs orweights. FIG. 1 is a depiction of a more or less generic mounted primarytillage system or implement, and the reel shown in this figure is notthat shown in the remainder of the figures or disclosed in detailherein.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, a general depiction of rotary reel 30conforming to the teachings of the instant invention can be seen tocomprise a plurality of identical support plates including inner supportplates 32–34 and end plates 35 and 36. The support plates are partiallymaintained in transverse alignment by a support shaft 38 that extendsthrough centrally located apertures in each of the support plates.Support shaft 38 is affixed, as by welding, to each of the supportplates and extends beyond the end plates 35 and 36 to fit into bearingson a yoke like that shown in FIG. 1 and referenced by numeral 26.Several elongate helically formed flat bars 40–45 extend from end-to-endacross the supports and are affixed thereto. The number of supportplates and the length of the bars can vary as required to match variousmachine width swaths when combining operations. The support plates haveslots, as at 39 in FIG. 2, into which the bars fit. After welding, thisarrangement provides superior support and strength for the connection.

The preferred embodiment, found to provide the most overall satisfactoryresults, is a six bar 16-in diameter reel. This provides the proper soilaggregate sizing in combination with a primary tillage system asoperated in the range of 4 and 8 mph. This preferred embodiment has anapproximate spacing of 8.4 inches as measured on the circumference ofthe rotary reel, with a maximum straight-line distance of less than sixinches between two adjacent bars. This is a key factor that allowsdesign variations in the diameter and number of bars, but maintains therelative effectiveness of the overall conditioning performed by thereel. By keeping the maximum distance between two adjacent bars lessthan six inches, the design will, on average, produce substantially noclods larger than this size (six inches).

The following references to degrees can best be understood by viewingfirst the depiction of FIG. 7. The direction of travel of the implementis to the left, so the reel will rotate in a counter-clockwise directionand the ground would be at the bottom, or in the direction of the270-degree reference. Each helically formed flat bar maintains an angleof attack in the range of 23 to 27 degrees, with a preferred angle ofapproximately 25 degrees, relative to the 270-degree orientation, whichprovides the balance of a small edge for maintaining the necessarypressure in pounds per square inch (“psi”) to cut soil clods, yetsupplies the strength to withstand the punishment of hitting rocks andother obstructions. The most important concepts to understand regardingthe angle of attack of the bar is first that the reel is heavy enough toactually penetrate the ground approximately 2.5 inches, and second thatthe bars will thus contact clods somewhere between the 180- and the210-degree location. The rotary reel's forward momentum combined witheach individual bar's angle of attack produces highly effective clodcutting and soil conditioning.

While other sizes will produce improved results over existing soilconditioners and packers, in the preferred embodiment, each bar 40–45 iscomprised of flat steel approximately 0.313 inches thick by 2.5 incheswide. This size further promotes the balance of a small edge formaintaining psi to cut soil clods, yet adequate strength to withstandthe punishment of hitting rocks and other obstructions. Moreparticularly, the preferred embodiment optimizes clod cutting pressure,soil penetration, and durability. The 0.313-inch thickness is thinenough to still cut clods without requiring the expense of a knife-edge.The 2.5 inch wide surface helps minimize the amount of surface area ofthe flat bars as they have passed the 270-degree orientation and beginpassively rolling out of the ground.

Each helically formed bar 40–45 has an approximate 8- to 11-degree twistper support plate, as shown as angle A in FIG. 5, to assist inmaintaining a smooth operation in the field without creating machinebounce and therefore high cycle fatigue that results with straight barreels. In the preferred embodiment, this angle is approximately 9.38degrees. FIG. 4 shows the total twist as angle B. In the preferredembodiment angle A is approximately 37.5 degrees. More particularly, thetwist provides performance enhancement on a lateral rotary reel bymaintaining a consistent amount of blade engagement with the soil (whichalso means consistent pressure) for smooth operation. This additionallyimproves the durability of the reel and supporting structure by limitingthe high stress cycles of straight bars on a lateral rotary reel. Asstated above, the amount of the helical form relates to the number ofbars and the diameter of the rotary reel. The actual helical form canvary to achieve the optimum geometry with other diameters.

Referring now to FIGS. 2, 3 and 6, it can be seen that each bar 40–45 inthe preferred embodiment is formed with an extended portion 50 on eachend that allows it to extend past the end support plates 35 and 36. Thisextension is cut inwardly at approximately 45 degrees, as at 51, andprovides for the proper soil conditioning between adjacent transverselyspaced reels (relative to the direction of travel) in an overall systemwithout weed or residue wrapping on the end of the bar. Effectively, thegap between two adjacent reels (as measured from the outside ends of thebars) is less than the straight-line distance between two bars on aparticular reel—providing proper soil conditioning. Weeds, residue, orother debris slides off the bar due to the notched end. This designfeature results in premium soil clod sizing with all rotary reels inline laterally while not compromising agronomic performance. This designalso allows room for the rotary reel bearings and supports on each end,yet extends the bars past the reel end support plates 35 and 36 tomaintain a gap of equal or less than the straight-line spacing betweentwo adjacent bars on the same rotary reel.

The preferred spacing between support plates is in the range of about12.5 inches to 14 inches to provide a balance of clearance to preventsoil build-up in wet conditions and strength for protection of thehelical bars against rock damage; however, spacings outside this rangemay provide acceptable results. This range has been optimized with thespeed of operation, section and material properties of the bars.

As can be seen in the figures, particularly FIG. 6, each reel supportplate captures the bar on both long surfaces (the 2.5 inch surface) formaximum strength. The support plate material is staggered on either sideof the bar to prevent a high stress concentration due to welding at thehighest load location. The longer support is provided on the backside ofthe bar relative to the motion to provide maximum strength.

Each support plate 32–36 includes directional welds that start at theouter portion of the bar and end towards the center of the reel toprevent the stress concentration of the weld crater at termination frombeing located at the highest loaded point of the bar.

A preferred weight per foot of implement width of down pressure appliedusing this rotary reel design is 120 pounds per foot (in the range ofapproximately 110–130 pounds per foot). This down pressure has beenoptimized to cut hard dry clods and wet sticky clods without digginginto the soil (self-gauging operating depth) and creating a scoop shoveleffect that can result in plugging of the reel with soil.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show a rotary reel system that can be either affixed tothe rear of a primary tillage system or towed by a tractor in a separateoperation depending upon the specific subjective circumstances of theoperator. FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the finishing implement60 to include a tongue 62 with a forwardly located hitch 64 for readyattachment to either a tractor or a primary tillage implement. A toolbar66 extends transversely across the width of the implement and isstrengthened by braces 68, 70. A pair of gauge/transport wheels 72, 74are affixed to an L-shaped support bracket 76 and rotatable about shaft78. A plurality of soil conditioning rotary reels 80–83 is affixed ateach end to the bottom of the toolbar 66 by fixed brackets 86 onbearings (not shown) that permit free rotation of the rotary reels. Bylengthening or shortening the ram of hydraulic cylinder 88, the operatormay selectively raise or lower the rear of implement 60, and thus rotaryreels 80–83, by moving the wheels from the dotted line position inrelative to ground G (raised position) to the solid line positionrelative to ground G′ (lowered position).

It will be understood that changes in the details, materials, steps andarrangements of parts which have been described and illustrated toexplain the nature of the invention will occur to and may be made bythose skilled in the art upon a reading of this disclosure within theprinciples and scope of the invention. The foregoing descriptionillustrates the preferred embodiment of the invention; however,concepts, as based upon the description, may be employed in otherembodiments without departing from the scope of the inventions.Accordingly, the following claims are intended to protect the inventionbroadly as well as in the specific form shown.

1. An agricultural seedbed finishing implement comprising: an elongatetongue having a forward end and an opposing rear end, said forward endhaving a hitch thereon for affixing the implement to a tractor or aprimary tillage system, and said rear end affixed to a transversetoolbar; at least two spaced-apart support wheels adjustably affixed tosaid toolbar and movable between a transport position and a workingposition; a plurality of soil conditioning rotary reels affixed to saidtoolbar and engagable with the ground when said support wheels are insaid working position, each soil conditioning rotary reel comprising: anelongate support shaft having first and second opposing ends; aplurality of generally circular support plates affixed to and uniformlyspaced along the length of said support shaft, said plurality of supportplates including two end plates, one adjacent to but spaced from eachsaid first and second ends of said support shaft, each said supportplate including a plurality of connection points regularly spaced alongthe periphery thereof; a plurality of elongate bars affixed to eachsupport plate, said bars being generally rectangular in cross-sectionand each affixed to one of said plurality of connection points on eachsaid support plate such that a relatively thin generally flat edge ofthe bar is directed generally radially outward, each said bar containinga helical twist and said connection points in said support platespositioned relative to one another on adjacent support plates such thatsaid bars form a helical cutting edge across a width of the reel,wherein each end of the plurality of elongate bars extends beyond therespective end plate, wherein the plurality of soil conditioning rotaryreels are part of a broadcast tillage system having multipletransversely spaced tillage units along a width of the implement, saidtillage system including: a main frame structure; and a generallyinverted u-shaped support yoke affixed to said first and second ends ofeach said support shaft such that each said reel may rotate freelywithin the support yoke, said yoke attached to said frame member suchthat each said rotary reel trails more than one of the multiple tillageunits, and wherein a gap between adjacent rotary reels, as measured fromthe ends of said elongate bars, is less than a straight-line distancebetween two adjacent bars on each said reel.
 2. The implement of claim1, wherein; said connection points are slots, and said bars fit intosaid slots.
 3. The implement of claim 2, wherein: a straight-linedistance between adjacent bars is less than six inches.
 4. The implementof claim 3, wherein: a diameter of said support plates is 16 inches, andthe plurality of bars is six.
 5. The implement of claim 4, wherein: saidrectangular cross-section of said bars is approximately 2.5 inches byapproximately 0.313 inches.
 6. An agricultural seedbed finishingimplement comprising: an elongate tongue having a forward end and anopposing rear end, said forward end having a hitch thereon for affixingthe implement to a tractor or a primary tillage system, and said rearend affixed to a transverse toolbar; at least two spaced-apart supportwheels adjustably affixed to said toolbar and movable between atransport position and a working position; a plurality of soilconditioning rotary reels affixed to said toolbar and engagable with theground when said support wheels are in said working position, each soilconditioning rotary reel comprising: an elongate support shaft havingfirst and second opposing ends; a plurality of generally circularsupport plates affixed to and uniformly spaced along the length of saidsupport shaft, said plurality of support plates including two endplates, one adjacent to but spaced from each said first and second endsof said support shaft, each said support plate including a plurality ofconnection points regularly spaced along the periphery thereof; aplurality of elongate bars affixed to each support plate, said barsbeing rectangular in cross-section and each affixed to one of saidplurality of connection points on each said support plate such that arelatively thin generally flat edge of the bar is directed generallyradially outward; and each said bar containing a helical twist and saidslots in said support plates positioned relative to one another onadjacent support plates such that said bars form a helical cutting edgeacross the width of the reel, wherein an angle of attack of each saidbar is in the range of 23 to 27 degrees to a line transverse to adirection of travel at 270 degrees, where 180 degrees is the directionof travel, 0 degrees is opposite the direction of travel, 90 degrees isupward and 270 degrees is toward the ground.
 7. The implement of claim6, wherein: a weight per foot of implement width of down pressure is inthe range of 110 to 130 pounds.
 8. The implement of claim 6, wherein: aweight per foot of implement width of down pressure is in the range of110 to 130 pounds.
 9. The implement of claim 7, wherein: a weight perfoot of implement width of down pressure is approximately 120 pounds.10. The implement of claim 12, wherein: a weight per foot of implementwidth of down pressure is approximately 120 pounds.
 11. An agriculturalseedbed finishing implement comprising: a transverse tool bar; and asoil conditioning rotary reel affixed to the transverse toolbar, thesoil conditioning rotary reel comprising: an elongate support shafthaving first and second opposing ends, a plurality of generally circularsupport plates affixed to and uniformly spaced along a length of thesupport shaft, the plurality of support plates including two end plates,one adjacent to but spaced from each said first and second ends of thesupport shaft each support plate including a plurality of connectionpoints regularly spaced along a periphery thereof, and a plurality ofelongate bus affixed to each support plate, the bars each affixed to oneof the plurality of connection points on each support plate such that anedge of the bar is directed generally radially outward, each barincluding a helical twist and the connections points in each supportplates are positioned relative to one another on adjacent support platessuch that the bars form a helical cutting edge across a width of thereel, wherein each end of the plurality of elongate bars extends beyondthe respective end plate, further including: an indexed tillage systemhaving multiple transversely spaced row units along a width of theimplement, each row unit including: a longitudinal frame member; aplurality of the rotary reels; and a generally inverted u-shaped supportyoke affixed to the first and second ends of each support shaft suchthat the reel may rotate freely within the support yoke, wherein a gapbetween adjacent rotary reels, as measured from the ends of the elongatebars, is less than a straight-line distance between two adjacent bars ona particular soil conditioning reel.
 12. The implement as recited inclaim 11, wherein an angle of attack of each said bar is in the range of23 to 27 degrees to a line transverse to a direction of travel at 270degrees, where 180 degrees is the direction of travel, 0 degrees isopposite the direction of travel, 90 degrees is upward and 270 degreesis toward the ground.